2023 Kia Carnival review

1. Seven or eight seats

Carrying up to seven or eight passengers, the 2023 Kia Carnival has your back when it's your turn for the school run. Entry-level LX versions of the minivan offer seven seats, but eight seats are standard on EX, SX and SX Prestige trims. Available features such as a pair of second-row heated and ventilated captain's chairs that fully recline on SX Prestige versions make daily drives comfortable for all passengers. But if it's also practicality that you're after with all those seats, the second row slides for easy access by both young and old passengers.

2. Practical trunk space

The 2023 Kia Carnival lives up to minivan expectations with 40 cu-ft of luggage space with all the seats in place. Fold the third row of seats into the floor for 86.9 cu-ft of space, and if you're moving more paraphernalia than people, the second row can be removed for a massive 145.1 cu-ft. If you're also carrying people but need extra volume at the hardware store, the third-row seats split-fold 60/40 for longer loads.

3. Plenty of technology

Not just the space is great, but also the onboard technology offered by the 2023 Kia Carnival: an eight or 12.3-inch color touchscreen with Apple CarPlay^® and Android Auto^™ integration, Bluetooth^® connectivity with voice recognition and integrated modem, and SiriusXM^® on EX trims and above. Depending on the trim, you'll find up to nine USB ports. SX and SX Prestige models feature a dual-screen, rear-seat entertainment system with device mirroring and wireless headphones. Ideal for keeping kids occupied.

4. Feature-packed comfort

To make every journey in the 2023 Kia Carnival a comfortable one, practical features include rear privacy glass, sunshade blinds on the second and third seat rows, and tri-zone automatic climate control on EX models and above. To ensure those in the front keep their cool, there is acoustic and solar glass, and power adjustment plus heated and ventilated functions for the front seats will soothe weary travelers.

5. A powerful engine

There is only one engine choice for the 2023 Kia Carnival, but it's a powerful one. The 3.5L V6 engine produces 290 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque, put down to the road via an eight-speed automatic transmission. An estimated towing capacity of 3,500 lbs means you can hook up a trailer or even a small boat for some outdoor fun.